Hoyer Statement on LGBT Pride Month

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on LGBT Pride Month, which is observed throughout the month of June:

“This year, as we mark LGBT Pride Month in June, there is much to be proud of when it comes to the march for equality for all Americans. With twelve states and the District of Columbia now recognizing same-sex marriage and LGBT Americans serving openly in our Armed Forces, we continue to make progress as a nation toward full inclusion and an end to discrimination. I am proud to serve alongside a record-breaking number of LGBT Members of the 113th Congress, who play an important role within our House Democratic Caucus.

“However, these gains come as many in the LGBT community still face bias, including through the intolerant and unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act, which ought to be repealed or struck down. I was proud to join 212 other House and Senate Democrats in filing an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to uphold the Second Circuit’s ruling in U.S. v. Edith Schlain Windsor that DOMA is unconstitutional.

“In celebrating LGBT Pride Month and the enormous contributions gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people have made and continue to make to our national life, let us redouble our efforts to eliminate barriers to equality and to ensure that every individual and family is treated fairly under our laws. Together we can defend the dignity of every person and every family and their equal place in our shared American story.”